ai2 

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T 212 

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Copy 1 



Price, 25 Cents 




I H.ieOBINvyON;| 



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i 



Inventors Si M'^tntiam 



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flenrp 3^obinson 



jnustrations 65 

C ^, f ieming 




pubiisfjeb b? l?cnt|o iRobmfion 
41 We^t 33b Street 

1911 



X 



V 



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COPYRIGHT, 1911 

BY 

H. ROBINSON 

41 West 33d Street 

New York, N. Y. 



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(gCI.A2855l3 






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Contents 



CHAPTER 1 

SuccESSFtJL Invention 

CHAPTER 2 
Machine Designing •; 

CHAPTER 3 
Financing a New Invention 

CHAPTER 4 
Marketing a New Invention 

CHAPTER 5 

Determining the Selling Price op a Newi^y Invented Article 

CHAPTER 6 

Office Management and Business Policies 

CHAPTER 7 

Divers Ways of Exploiting an Invention 

CHAPTER 8 

Useful Pointers on SuccESSFxn. Manufacturing 

CHAPTER 9 
Warning to Prospective Inventors 

CHAPTER 10 

Advice to Iistventors on Inventions 

CHAPTER 11 

General Definition and Classification of Inventions 

CHAPTER 12 
The Glory of Invention and Pictures of Celebrated Inventors and 

Scientists 

CHAPTER 13 
How to Invent 

CHAPTER 14 
How TO Make Sketches and Specifications 



CHAPTER 15 

The Necessity of Competent Engineering for Successful Invention 

CHAPTER 16 

Pert Pointers for Prospective Inventors That Will Be Found Helpful 

CHAPTER 17 

Protection of an Invention 

CHAPTER 18 
Various Ways Employed to Cheat and Rob Inventors 

CHAPTER 19 
Government Connivance at the Despoiling of a Poor Inventor 

CHAPTER 20 

Old and Common I^icks Employed to "Do" an Inexperienced Inventor 

CHAPTER 21 
The Root of the Evil 

CHAPTER 22 
Comparative Legal Protection Afforded to Mental and Physical 

Property 

CHAPTER 23 
The Utter Helplessness of a Poor Inventor to Obtain Justice 

CHAPTER 24 
Public Attitude Towards Him Who Steals Physical and to the One Who 

Steals Mental Property 

CHAPTER 25 
Present Available Means of Protecting an Invention 

CHAPTER 26 

Comparative Government Treatment — A Bounty for Raising "Sugar 
Beets," but a Tax on Inventions 

CHAPTER 27 
Society's Debt to the Inventor 

CHAPTER 28 
Comparative Protection Given by the Government 

CHAPTER 29 

The Law's Definition of Property — and Public Policy 

CHAPTER 30 

The Successful Inventor 

CHAPTER 31 

Comparative Treatment the World Accords to Them, and Sutmmary 



f n\)entorfi anti Jn^^entions 




HENRY ROBINSON 

I-NGINEER ANU INVENTOR 
1911 



DEDICATED 

TO MY FRIEND AND BENEFACTOR 

A. G. ARNOLD, ESQ. 



preface 




HE object of publishing this pam- 
phlet is to awaken the public 
conscience to the great injustice 
continually being done to a numerous 
and worthy class of intellectual toilers, 
and the evil resulting from the same to 
the general public, 

If perchance this will help to remedy 
the wrong to any extent, the author will 
feel amply repaid for the trouble and 
expense incurred in pointing it out to the 
public. 

Respectfully yours 

THE AUTHOR 

H. Robinson 



I 



/ 



Snbentorsi anb Snbentionsi ^ 




CHAPTER 1 

Successful Invention 

VERY large number of people in and out of 
the mechanical profession are intensely eager to 
know how to become successful inventors. 
Wealth, honor and glory are the reward of 
the successful. Disappointment, drudgery, oblivion, 
and poverty are often the portion of the less fortunate 
ones. , 

Many of the latter foolishly attribute the greater 
measure of success to their fellow-workers in the same 
chosen field of usefulness to luck, which is far from the 
truth, and to that fallacious belief they often owe their 
own less favored condition. It is also an injustice to 
those who have reached the summit; as there is one, 
and only one road that leads to it, and which they all 
have to take, and its name is "Endeavor." 

There are numerous fictitious definitions of the suc- 
cessful inventor, and vet there is but one true gauge 
and test of merit that entitles one to membership in 
the none-too-numerous and select fraternity. This test 
is the ability of producing a commercially successful 
invention. 

That "Ability" is but the concentrated name for 
the possession of numerous requirements, comprising 
a vast and varied knowledge, theoretical, scientific, and 
practical, not only of the various mechanical branches 
necessary for successful machine designing, but of the 
art and conditions for the manipulation of that product 
for which a machine is designed, with or without that 
machine, and the newly designed machine's economic 
relation to the same. 

Then securing the necessary co-operation of finan- 
cial means must be attended to; introducing the newly 
hatched-out novelty into the market, compelling its 
adoption and general use, for its purpose, and organ- 
izing the proper fabric for its production efficiently and 
economically. 



12 



Snbentors! anb 3nbentionj( 




THE UNSUCCESSFUL INVENTOR 



Snbentors! anb inbentiong i'^ 

Last, but not least, there must be secured the pos- 
session of a fair share of its benefits to its originator, 
and to those "financial interests" necessary in the pro- 
duction and marketing of a successful invention. 

All of these accomplishments are the necessary ele- 
ments and attributes of the successful inventor, and are 
the steps by which he is required to climb and mount 
that desired eminence and through the skipping or 
missing of any one of those steps, many aspiring climbers 
have been hurled headlong to the bottom of the abyss 
just as they were within reach of the goal. 

No matter how naturally favored one may be, never 
has nature so favored any individual as to bestow on 
him those necessary accomplishments gratis. 

It is one of the greatest anomalies of human nature, 
that the performance of most difficult tasks, requiring 
for their consummation numerous and rare attainments, 
are continually undertaken by those who are least qual- 
ified to perform them. Lured by the glittering reward 
of the few successful ones, they try to gain by chance 
what can only be gained by work. 

CHAPTER 2 
Machine Designing 

While the elements of success in actual engineering 
are general, compi-ised by knowledge of well-known 
sciences and arts; yet the accomplishments of their 
undertaking must necessarily be stamped with the in- 
dividuality of its creator, and along those lines that 
repeated experiences have found necessary, to insure 
success. 

In inventing and designing a new machine, one 
must first thoroughly familiarize himself with its de- 
sired performance, as the success or failure of his 
mechanical creation depends on how nearly perfect 
that performance is, compared to established or 
desired standards; and the performance of that ma- 
chine when made will truly denote how well its designer 
understood it, and his skill in mechanical manipula- 
tion to produce it. 



14 



inbentorsi anb Snbentionsi 




THE STEPS BY WHICH HE IS REQUIRED TO CLIMB AND MOUNT 
THAT DESIRED EMINENCE 



ifnbentors! anb 3ntientions! i^ 

Another important item of calculation must be the 
relative value of the probable production of the machine, 
its quantity and quality, to the cost of the machine. 

Careful consideration must be given to the working 
conditions the machine will have to be adapted to. 
These must include a careful study of the substance to 
be worked upon in the machine, its regularity or irreg- 
ularity in shape, its constant or changing conditions 
under various environments or seasons, and its general 
peculiarities. 

The cost of manipulating the machine must be 
considered, that is, the required amount of power for 
its propulsion, and the cost of maintaining its efficient 
mechanical performance for a certain amount of pro- 
duction, or its durability, and its proneness to get out 
of order. Nor must one fail to take into account the 
required intelligence and skill to operate it. 

While constantly and carefully bearing in mind the 
before-mentioned objective points, the prospective suc- 
cessful inventor in designing his machine, must care- 
fully aim for cheapness of construction, which can only 
be properly accomplished by designing the various 
mechanical performances of the machine with the 
least number of parts, and of the simplest form, re- 
quiring for their proper production the least amount 
and cheapest kind of labor in the Pattern Shop, Foun- 
dry, and Machine Shop, and, next to the creating of 
efficient and durable machines, the greatest order of 
skill in a machine designer is required in producing 
simple and cheap mechanical designs. 

And yet this is not all that is required from him, 
even in the mechanical line, but he must have such 
mechanical movements and parts in his machine, as 
will enable him to secure a good patent on it, which 
will insure him protection, at the same time carefully 
and absolutely avoiding any possible infringement on 
others. In a measure that can be avoided by looking 
up the copies of patents of similar inventions, 
f, ""Another important factor in determining the gen- 
eral design of a machine, is the probable market for 
the same, as that must, in~a great measure, decide the 
justifiable expenditure for the initial or first general 
cost, for bringing the successful machine into being. 



16 



Snbentors; anti Snbentions; 




INVENTORS SELDOM HAVE ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THEIR ASPIRATIONS AND PROSPECTS. 



3nbentor£{ anb Snbentionsi ^^ 

So much for the mechanical or engineering part of 
the invention. 

CHAPTER 3 

Financing a New Invention 

The next important part is the financial side of it. 
The estimate for this must necessarily vary with the 
intended mode of disposal of the prospective invention 
after its perfection. 

If it is the intention of the inventor to dispose of 
his invention after it is perfected, the expense can be 
approximately estimated, and in many cases will be 
moderate, of course varying with the nature of the 
invention. But if it is the intention to manufacture it, 
create and supply a market for it, the required capital 
will always be considerable. 

For many obvious reasons, it is considered advan- 
tageous for the profitable exploitation of an invention 
to have the financial end of it under a separate head, 
which is generally the case. Usually this is "making; 
a virtue of necessity," as inventors seldom have any- 
thing outside of their "aspirations and prospects," 
whether it is that "necessity is the mother of inven- 
tion," or that "Invention is the mother of necessity," 
is something that physiologists have not quite deter- 
mined. But in any event, the prospective successful 
inventor must provide himself with a "finance minis- 
ter," variously designated as "Angel," "Backer," or 
"Octopus." 

This part of the inventive problem, to many an in- 
ventor, is insolvable for many reasons. To solve it 
successfully requires good insight, and judgment of 
human nature. Ability to impart one's own "enthu- 
siastic aspirations," and to keep it up, requires 
diplomacy and tact. 

But solve the problem he must if the inventor 
wants to be successful, and various means have been 
employed to do so. One of them, which is probably 
as good as any, is for the enterprising inventor to 
divide that j)art of his problem into two or several 
parts. If he cannot command a large amount at once, 
he will devote his energies to interesting successively 



18 



Snbentorss anb Snbentionsi 




OCTOPU.5. 



G ,.- 



FINANCE MINISTERS. 



SnbentorsJ anb Sntjentionsi I'J 

small amounts, which will enable him to carry on the 
development of his invention from one stage to another; 
each time advancing it further, becoming stronger, and 
showing enhanced prospects. To sell to each succes- 
sive "Backer" the interest of his predecessor, and if 
the predecessor's money has been used to good advan- 
tage, that can be done profitably, and to the satisfac- 
tion of everybody concerned, as well as increasing the 
available means for carrying on the exploitation of the 
invention. 

That is one of the Avays by which an inventor can 
provide himself steadily with some one to take care of 
the "finance portfolio" in his cabinet. 

Anothei", but far more hazardous way, is to resort 
to the professional promoter. 

Great care, however, must be taken by the inventor 
in these various financial transactions, which neces- 
sarily include the making and signing of various con- 
tracts and legal instruments, that his entire invention 
as well as himself are not entirely absorbed by others. 

As competent and reliable legal advice may not 
always be within his reach, he must be able to make 
contracts advantageously, and above all to be the pos- 
sessor of a vision sufficiently penetrating to detect "the 
nigger in the woodpile," in any paper before he signs it. 



CHAPTER 4 
Marketing a New Invention 

The value and success of an invention depends 
upon its demonstrated usefulness to those for whose 
use it is intended, and their desire to avail themselves 
of the same. 

It very often devolves on the inventor to give that 
value to it, a task which will not be found easy, espe- 
cially to the novice. 

The first necessary steps to force an invention into 
the market is to ])rocure as many representative refer- 
ences from ])eople using his invention as possible. 
This may necessitate placing his machine on trial for 
a certain length of time, and personally demonstrating 



20 



Snbentorsi anb Snbentionsi 







VISION SUFFICIKNTLY PENETRATING TO DETECT THE NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE. 



SntjentorS anb Snbentionsi ^^ 

its usefulness; also educating other operators to oper- 
ate his machine advantageously. 

The inventor will find ample opportunity to dis- 
play his forebearance at this stage of the game, as he 
will find at the beginning, "no one poor enough to do 
his invention reverence." And it is one of the strange 
things that one observes in life, that many people who 
have not sufficient energy and intelligence to raise 
themselves beyond the very humblest and meanest 
occupations in life, consider themselves am])ly qualified 
to criticise, and even make suggestions on in- 
ventions that some of the best brains have spent their 
best on. 

But this is a condition that must be reckoned with 
and overcome in introducing a new machine on the 
market, and the inventor will find it to his advantage 
to use every possible means to persuade and win over 
those who will have to operate his machine, as well as 
to demonstrate to the proprietor himself the usefulness 
of the invention; and sometimes even he may find it 
to his advantage to furnish an educated operator for 
the machine. 

If his means are limited, which is often the case, 
he will have to act as his own salesman, advertisement- 
writer, and press-agent until the invention becomes 
firmly estal)lished in the market. To go out in the 
cold, wide world and solicit orders even on approval 
for a new invention requires considerable adaptability, 
pluck, patience, and hard work. Very often success or 
failure depends upon the initial exertions in that direc- 
tion. 

No fixed rules can be laid down for that kind of 
work. To be successful, it must be varied with the 
nature and the disposition of every individual who 
does the selling and buying. But generally speaking, 
it is a safe rule for a salesman to observe, "Brevity, 
Directness, Simplicity, and Politeness," as the average 
business man is, by force of circumstances, homeo- 
pathic. They like "Talks" in small quantities, con- 
centrated form, and suo-ar-coated. 

Sometimes silence, the ability to keep one's mouth 
closed, and to respectfully listen to a loquacious 



22 



Snbentors! anb Snbentionsi 




NO ONE POOR FNOUGII TO DO HIS INVENTION RKVBRENCE. 



Sntientors! anb Sntientions ^-^ 

prospective buyer, will secure an order for a machine, 
where a disposition to do all the talking, however "sil- 
very" will not accomplish the same "golden" results. 

Another important factor in introducing a inachine 
into the market is advertising by mail. 

Painstaking exertions coupled with the required 
ability to get up a proper circular, which should include 
a clear cut, half-tone preferably, of the machine to be 
sold, a concise explicit statement of the nature of the 
machine, and its capacity, and its advantages over pre- 
vious or other methods of doing the same work. 

In wording and phrasing your circular, observe 
simplicity. A list of references will materially enhance 
your chances of securing attention, as most people are 
willing to say "Me Too," where you could never get 
them to say "I." 

In the general get-up of your circular it is best to 
have such an arrangement as will readily go into an 
ordinary business envelope, without folding. If, how- 
ever, it must be folded, it must be so arranged that the 
fold so creased will not come at a vital point. Plain, 
clear type of convenient size, on good white paper, and 
black ink, is better than rainbow colors. However, a 
different color for a few words now and then for em- 
phasis, is permissible, and may help to bring out cer- 
tain jioints which you wish the prospective buyer's 
attention called to. 

The general get-up of the circular must be of such 
a nature and form, that the prospective buyer of 
average intelligence will be attracted by it, and will get 
a oeneral idea of what it has to tell him at a olance. 

It is even best to leave the price of the article off 
the circular, as that will induce people to inquire for 
it, and give one a chance to get in touch with those who 
are interested, while tliose who would not even inquire 
for the price, would not buy any way. 

Another means for introducing a new invention on 
the market, is in "write-ups" of the same in the daily 
papers, magazines, and trade papers; as very unfor- 
tunatelv a good many people would not pay any atten- 
tion to circulars, and would '"not find time to grant a 
personal interview to a solicitor, yet they do look up 



^4 Snbentorss antr inbenttons! 

printed matter in the form of a newspaper, magazine, 
or trade-paper, and very often get their own views on 
any subject from the general tone of the article they 
read. 

These articles require considerable intelligence, 
care, and literary ability to prepare, and more to get 
them printed, as they naturally have to vary in tone 
and style with the paper, or magazine they are ])rinted 
in. 

It is more or less easy to get a write-up in a trades- 
paper for an article that comes within its sphere, and 
very often the editor of that magazine will be willing 
to do the writing-up, from circulars furnished to him 
or from observations of the machines as a news item, 
for the dual purpose of furnishing its readers with use- 
ful information, and of obtaining advertising patronage 
from the beneficiary. 

In other magazines, it will i-equire more ingenuity 
and literary merit to get in at all, and except in very 
rare instances, it would be best for the inventor to turn 
that part of the business over to some one who has 
experience in that line of work, and knows "how." 



CHAPTER 5 

Determining the Selling Price op a Newly 
Invented Article 

Considerable business acumen is required in deter- 
mining and fixing the selling price of a new machine. 

The factors to be taken into consideration are, the 
value of its saving in every direction to its purchaser, 
the average amount of capital invested in the pro- 
spective purchaser's business, and the amount to be 
invested in the machine, as very often a machine may 
be beyond the reach of those for whose use it is de- 
sired, by reason of its price. 

In any event, the cost of producing the machine 
should not be a factor in determining the price, but the 
value of its product. And the cost of producing the 



1 



3nbentor£i anb inbentionsi ^^ 

same results by any other process, will give a very fair 
estimate, after taking into consideration the means of 
the people who have to buy it. 

Generally a machine is sold outright to the con- 
sumer, but in some instances they are only rented for 
certain periods or volumes of production. 

That has to be determined by the nature of the 
invention and the business to which it ap])lies. 

CHAPTER 6 

Office Management and Business Policies 

If the inventor is unfortunate enough to be com- 
pelled to attend to his own office work, he will probably 
find it advantageous to observe the following rules: 

Answer all letters promptly, briefly, and politely, 
and don't write what you feel like, as that will often 
get you into trouble. Don't forget to make a copy, 
and keep it, of every letter you send out, and file care- 
fully all letters you receive. 

If the inventor has to be his own purchasing agent, 
he should remember that the lowest pi'ice is not always 
the cheapest, and the highest price doesn't indicate 
that you couldn't get it any cheaper elsewhere, and as 
good, if not better. 

Whenever possible, arrange for everything to be 
delivered at your jjlace, as that throws the transit re- 
sponsibility on the contractor until the goods are deliv- 
ered, and your credit is also longer. 

Order your goods as much ahead of time as possible 
as goods are very rarely delivered on the time they are 
promised. 

Examine all goods delivered in your place as to 
quality and weight, and keep a careful memorandum 
of the same, and don't forget to check off the bills you 
receive for the same. 

Don't be afraid to complain of unfair treatment, 
even at the risk of being- called a "kicker." 

Remember that the faithful performance of your 
duties for the firm that trusts and dej)ends upon you, 



26 Snbentorsi anb Snbentionsi 

is more important than the catering to anybody, espe- 
cially if it has to be done at the expense of the firm 
you represent. 

Don't expect "perfection" from people you are 
dealing with, as they have also a good many things to 
contend with, and when once you have O. K.'d the 
bills, pay for them as soon as possible if you want to 
maintain your credit and your self-respect. 

Honesty and straight dealings will materially in- 
crease your chances of staying in the market, once you 
get there. 

Cultivating a good name with the people you are 
dealing with, is better than "kowtowing" to "Rating 
Agencies," as well as being the cheapest and very best 
kind of advertising. Never misrepresent your financial 
condition when furnishing a statement to your bank, 
for you may do it once too often, and then you will 
wish "you hadn't." You will travel more easily and 
further by telling the truth. 

CHAPTER 7 
Divers Ways of Exploiting an Invention 

Having advanced his invention to the stage of hav- 
ing obtained a footing in the market, the inventor has 
reached the "Parting of the Ways," and now is the 
time for him to decide whether he is to sell his inven- 
tion, or to keep it. 

If he decides to sell, his likely buyers are those who 
are in that line of business, and who are generally will- 
ing to add to their established business some patented 
novelty in their own line, that will give them exclusive 
use, and special advertising facilities, thereby increas- 
ing their profits, and enhancing their prestige; or some 
capitalist on the alert for a profitable investment, and 
congenial occupation. 

The decision of the inventor must depend upon the 
nature of the invention, its profitableness, his own 
financial resources, his health, his energies, tempera- 
ment, and the likelihood of his invention being imi- 
tated, and his mechanical and financial ability to pro- 
tect it. 



inbentors; anb Snbemiong 



27 




'A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE 



28 Snbentors! anb Snbentionsi 

Generally speaking the proverb about "A bird in 
the hand is worth two in the bush," is very applicable 
to inventions, and the inventor who is blessed with a 
grain of prudence in his make-up, will think carefully, 
and his best, before he refuses a fair offer. 

If he desires to sell, a sum of money outright is 
better than a royalty. 

Should it not be practical or desirable to dispose 
of it, he must make preparations to sup])ly the market 
in constantly increased proportions. 

Ow ing to the various kinds of skilled labor, numer- 
ous expensive tools, machinery, high rents for suitable 
manufacturing places necessary for the building of 
machinery, requiring the investment of large capital, 
and the devotion of a great deal of time for organiza- 
tion and supervision, many inventors find it conven- 
ient, even profitable, to have their machines built under 
contract by some established manufacturing concern 
which is properly equipped for that special kind of 
work. This in many cases is a very wise business-like 
course to pursue, as it eliminates the necessity of a 
large investment, and leaves the inventor free to devote 
himself to improving and enlarging the field for his 
invention, and to attend to the business end to better 
advantao-e. 



CHAPTER 8 
Useful Pointers on Successful Manufacturing 

Should it, however, be decided to manufacture his 
invention, it will be found that a proper system for 
regular routine will be required to produce the articles 
within reasonable cost. 

If the inventor has no special experience in manu- 
facturing, it will be greatly to his advantage to procure 
information, by inspection, and carefully noting the 
methods employed in up-to-date manufacturing estab- 
lishments, making similar articles. 

Manufacturing must be carried out from "THE 
TOP DOWNWARDS," not from "THE BOTTOM 
UPWARDS." That is, the brain work in the office 
must be carefully planned and carried out first, and 



Hfnfaentorfii anb Sntjentions! '^*J 

recorded in assembly and detail drawings and care- 
fully written-up specifications. 

Next a double set of metal patterns should be made 
to be kept in two separate places to guard against fire. 

To do everything should not be attempted in the 
beginning, as many parts requiring sj^ecial equipment 
and special skill, such as foundry work, drop forging, 
gear making, and wood work, can very often be con- 
tracted for with persons especially ecpiipped to do that 
work, at less than the ])rice it would cost to produce 
them by a firm which has to do a little of everything. 
Elimination of that much of the work permits better 
concentration and increased facilities for the other 
work, resulting in a maximum of production with a 
minimum of investment. 

The work in the factory should be carefully divided 
up, and localized. 

If the quantities of complete manufactured articles 
to be made are large, or there is a fair prospect that 
they will be so, and their sale is not localized, a dupli- 
cate, interchangeable system of manufacture is indis- 
pensable, and should be employed tVom the very be- 
ginning. In spite of the initial expenses for tools, it 
will l^e found to be a great saver of worry, annoyance, 
troul^le, and money. Also the labor cost for duplicate 
parts in the making and assembling is very consider- 
ablv less than if made in the "GOOD OLD WAY." 
This makes it possible to supply parts that will fit the 
machine which will be required in the course of usage, 
in any ])art of the world where it may happen to be, 
and which often forms a considerable part of the 
])rofits. Indeed it may be truly said that it sometimes 
pays to give machines away for nothing, if assured a 
monopoly of its repairs at one's own prices. 

The "gang-boss" system in the shop will be found 
a material aid in producing and maintaining a desired 
standard of quality and quantity. It will also lessen 
the necessary supervision and worry in tracing, and 
eliminate deficient and jarring elements in production. 

A healthy, accessible location, and a clean, com- 
fortable shop are indispensable. Fair, just and con- 
siderate treatment, with an aj)parent ready apprecia- 



30 



inbentors! ant inbentions! 




I OM T FML 
TO GIVE 
CREDIT 
WHERE 
IT IS DUE. 



THE GOOD WILL AND WELL WISHES OF THOSE WHO HELPED CREATE IT. 



3nbentorsi anb Snbentionsi 3i 

tion by the management, of the merits of their em- 
jiloyees, will be duly rewarded by the willing and faith- 
ful co-operation of those on whom in a great measure 
the success or failure of manufacturing depends; also 
enhancing the value of the profits by the addition of 
the goodwill, and well wishes of those who help to 
create it, as the want of it often mars the enjoyment of 
the money when earned. 

CHAPTER 9 

Warning to Prospective Inventors 

By a careful perusal of what has been said, it will 
be seen that the undertaking of a successful invention 
is no easy task, and that it cannot fall to one's lot by 
mere chance. 

It is quite true that, like the diamond, the inventor, 
the general, orator, or writer is born. But be it also 
remembered that even a diamond has to be cut, ground, 
and polished before it attains its lustre, and the inventor 
or general, writer and orator are no exceptions to the 
rule. 

The general could not conquer a valiant foe if he 
did not master the science of war, or if he failed to 
familiarize himself with most of the conspicuous ex- 
periences of others in the same profession. 

The writer and orator would have no audience if 
they failed to fertilize their brains with rich stores of 
knowledge to draw upon, and with proper means of 
expressing themselves. 

And the inventor is generally doomed to failure if 
he fails to earnestly apply himself to the acquisition 
and mastery of that knowledge which is potent to suc- 
cessful invention in the mechanical line, and to get his 
just or fair share of its value. 

Numerous and deep are the ])itfalls that the would- 
be-successful inventor must avoid. Rich'and powerful 
are the members of the fraternity who thrive and^fatten 
on him, through his short-comings of "Omission or 
Commission." At every stage of his progress he has 
to combat a new set and different kinds Jof vampires, 
each attacking him with different weapons, and in dif- 



31? 



Snbentorsi anb SntjentioiiE; 







m 



v®^^&^ 



^^=5^" 




NUMEROUS .^ND DEEP ARE THE PITFALLS THAT THE WOULD-ER-SUCCESSFUL INVENTOR MUST 

AVOID. 



Snbentorsi anb Snbentionsi 



33 




VICTIMS CONSTANTLY THROWN UP BY THE WAVES OF PASSION AND FOLLY, ON THE STERILE 
SHORE OF HUMAN INDIFFERENCE. 



34 



3nbentor£S anb Snbentiong 



SHORT AND 
EASY CUT 
TO 

OPULENCE 
AND EASE. 



ENCOUR- 
AGED TO 
P'iRSEVERE 
IN THEIR 
FALLACIES 
BY THE 
SLICK 
CUNNING 
SHARKS. 



WITH 

THEIR OWN 
ILL-CON- 
CEIVED 
NOTIONS 
AND PRIDE. 




THEY 
BECOME 
UNFITTED 
FOR THEIR 
USUAL 
OCCUPA- 
TIONS. 



VERY 

OFTEN THE 
SUBSTANCE 
OF THOSE 
DEPENDING 
ON THEM. 



Snbentotfii anb inbenttons! ^^ 

ferent ways, who consider the unlucky inventor their 
natural and legitimate prey. These men respectively 
garb their duplicity with the respectable name of a 
"profession," and justify the means of robbing him of 
his just and hard earnings, with the all-condoning name 
of "Modern Business Methods." 

As numerous and as pitiful as are the various vic- 
tims constantly thrown up by the waves of passion and 
folly on the sterile shore of "human indifference," none 
are more so than thev who have nothing; better than 
the promptings of a more-than-ordinary share of van- 
ity and conceit to aspire to the honors and rewards of 
successful inventors. Foolishly do they imagine it a 
short and easy cut to opulence and ease. Enthused 
with their delusion, they become unfitted for their 
usual occupations, and are encouraged to persevere in 
their fallacies by the slick, cunning sharks whose in- 
evitable prey they become through it. These not only 
take their verv last dollar, but verv often the substance 
of those depending upon them; until at last, poor, 
ruined, deluded fools, thev wake up to the realization 
of the grand truth, "THAT ONE GETS NOTHING 
FOR NOTHIN(i," not even experience. But it is 
none the less unfortunately true, that those very vic- 
tims themselves are responsible for the existence of the 
means and conditions for their undoing. If perchance 
in the outset of their ruinous career, they encounter 
one who would give them competent and honest advice, 
if it be at variance with their own ill-conceived notions 
and pride, he will receive insults for his pains, and be 
deprived of the opportunity of rendering any services 
to the profession of Avhicli his ability and integrity 
makes him a creditable and honorable member. 



CHAPITER 10 

Advice to Inventors on Inventions 

What and how to invent, is very often asked and 
variously answered. On the nature of the answer to 
the honest inquirer often depends whether he is to be 
discouraged in a good undertaking, or sent on a fool's 
errand, or directed rightly to the avenue of success. 



36 intjentorsi anb Snbentions; 

The various answers to what and how to invent may 
be divided into three different kinds. The stupid, the 
misleading, and the intelligent. The remark is often 
made by certain people, "Oh, there used to be lots of 
chances to make fortunes out of inventions YEARS 
AGO, but not NOW." This is as stupid as it is untrue. 

Never in the history of the world, have the oppor- 
tunities been as numerous and the rewards as great as 
they are now for any and every kind of meritorious 
invention. Our advanced civilization, the complex 
intricacies of our social fabric, the enormous general 
increase in wealth and the consequent general ability, 
to greater or less extent, to gratify our numerous and 
various desires, has created an unlimited field of op- 
portunity for the ingenious, fertile and enterprising 
brain. Not only for the improvements upon methods 
of "doing things," for which there is no man capable 
of setting a limit, but even for the invention and crea- 
tion of entirely new means of gratification and utility. 

The inventor of steam locomotion created for man- 
kind a new means of providing for certain phases of 
its existence. Yet THOSE who successively contrib- 
uted their ingenuity and made the MODERN loco- 
motive possible have filled a want, served a useful pur- 
pose, conferred a benefit and justly earned and merited 
reward. The existence of the perfected steam loco- 
motive did not deter human ingenuity and enterprise 
from developing electric traction. The inventors of 
wireless telegraphy, were not deterred or discouraged 
in their efforts by the existence of telegraph wires. 
The fact that, in all the unknown thousands of years of 
human existence, speech was considered onlv a human 
prerogativedidnotprevent "THE SAGE OF LLEW- 
ELLYN" from giving to the world the phonograph. 

Every human brain is dift"erent from every other; 
endowed with its own special marvellous capacity, 
making it possible for it to succeed in new directions. 

Who can fathom, or set a limit to the ingenuity of 
that divine creation, THE HUMAN BRAIN ? None 
but its Creator. Our ordinary every-day mechanical 
utilities would be consideredjMAGIC by him who 
wrote, "There is nothing new under the Sun." 



Snbentorg anb inbentionss 



37 








WHO CAK FATHOM <JR SET A LIMIT TO THIi IN(;ENUITY OF THAT DIVINE CREATION', THE HUMAN 

BRAIN? NONE BUT ITS CREATOR. 



38 



HInbentors anb Snbentions 




''^•f&biWWlfe- 



OUR ORDINARY EVERYDAY MECHANICAL UTILITIES WOULD, BE CONSIDERED MAGIC BY HIM 
WHO WROTE "there's NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN." 



inbentors! anb inbentionsi ^^ 

Happily the world is not apt to suffer from the 
foolish slogan of "IN GOOD OLD TIMES,"as gen- 
erally the possessor of extraordinary abilities will not 
be deterred by it from using them. And a SIGH for 
PAST opportunities is but a true indication of the 
unfitness of its unfortunate emitter for any oppor- 
tunity. 

The "MISLEADING ANSWER" to "WHAT 
AND HOW TO INVENT" is that which tells every- 
body and anybody, to invent ANYTHING AND 
EVERYTHING. 

Human abilities and environments vary, and it 
necessarily follows that every individual cannot be suc- 
cessful in that undertaking which requires for its suc- 
cessful accomplishment that which manifestly his 
Creator did not endow him with. Nor is the capable 
man apt to be as successful in a direction where, 
through his environments, he is a stranger, as he would 
in that field of operation that he has been most active 
in. It is better and cheaper for a person to first deter- 
mine his possession of the abilities for doing certain 
things, than to find out the want of them by the failure 
of his undertaking. The gifted individual will also find 
success easier to attain if his efforts are directed in 
experienced channels, than if prospecting on what is 
to him, "unexplored wilds." 

And to the "MISLEADING ANSWER" OF 
"WHAT AND HOW TO INVENT," can be, in a great 
measure, attributed the product of the inventive 
weeds that choke up the patent offices as well as the 
elimination of numerous individuals from ordinary 
but useful occupations for which their Creator evidently 
intended them. Their wasted substances furnishes a 
fat living to them who make a profession to give out 
this "misleadino-" advice broadcast. 



!-i 



CHAPTER 11 

General Definition and Classification of 

Inventions 

To "ANSWER INTELLIGENTLYiWHAT AND 
HOW TO INVENT." It is first necessary to analyze 



^ Knbentorsi anb 3ifnbention£( 

most carefully the various phases of invention of various 
natures. 

It will be observed that inventions in general may 
be divided into several divisions, as follows : 

First: — Fundamental physical principles, which are 
very rare and purely scientific. 

Second: — Basic mechanical adaptation to and for 
the first division which generally comes into existence 
soon after the discovery of the first. 

Third: — Basic mechanical adaptation to a well- 
defined production, substituting human or animal exer- 
tions; which comes by degrees, and none too often. 

Fourth: — Improved mechanical applications. 

Fifth: — Diverse or varied mechanical applications. 

The last two are the most prolific or numerous 
classes. The first division includes our physical 
sciences. The second is the first mechanical harness 
for utilizing a new discovery in the laws of physics for 
different purposes. The third includes the first me- 
chanical appliances receiving impulse from some other 
body for doing to greater advantage that which is done 
by direct human or animal exertions, and are com- 
monlv termed labor-saving machines. 

The fourth are the continuous improvements on 
the third, and may include basic mechanical contri- 
vances. 

The fifth is for accomplishing the same ends as the 
Second, Third and Fourth, but also for the greater 
adaptability for certain specific purposes, and for popu- 
larizing its production; that is to prevent the exclusive 
monopolizing of certain advantages gained through 
and by the Second and Third. 



CHAPTER 12 

The Glory of Invention and Pictures of Cele- 
brated Inventors and Scientists 

Great and glorious are the opportunities for the 
lucky individual possessing the required high standard 
of intelligence, education, taste, and means of devoting 
himself to scientific investigations and experiments. 



DISCOVERER OF GRAVITATION. 




ERICSnSONI 



INVENTOR OF THE MONITOR. 



.4^ 



Snbentors; ant Intentions; 




HERSCHEL, 
ASTRONOMER. 



Snbentors! anb Sntientionsi 



43 




S. F. B. MORSE, 
INVENTOR OF THE TELEGRAPH. 



44 Snbentorsi anti inbentionsi 




ROBERT FULTON, INVENTOR OF THE STEAMBOAT. 



inbentors anb infaenti'onsi 45 




BENJ. FRANKLIN, 
SCIENTIST. 



46 Snbentors; anti M\}tntiom 




ELIAS HOWE, 
INVENTOR OF THE SEWING MACHINE. 



Snbentorsi anb Snbentions! 4? 




JAS. WATT, 
INVENTOR OF THE MODERN STEAM ENGINE, 



48 



inbentor£{ anti Snbenttons! 




LORD KELVIN, 
SCIENTIST. 



X 



inbentor£S anb inbentionsi 



49 




THOS. A. EDISON, 
THE SAGE OF LLEWELLYN, INVENTOR OF THE>HONOGRAPH, INCANDESCENT LIGHT, ETC. 



50 inbentors! anb Snbentiong 




SIG. MARCONI, 
INVENTOR OF WIRELESSjTELEGRAPHY. 



3fnbentor£{ anb Inbentionji 



51 




SIR H. BESSEMER, 
INVENTOR OP BESSEMER STEEL. 



52 



SntJentors! anb inbentiottfii 




C. H. MC CORMICK, 
INVENTOR OFiTHE REAPING-MACHINE. 



Snbentorfii anb inbentiong 



53 




PROFESSOR HUXLEY, 
SCIENTIST. 



^i 3nbentor£{ anb ^nbentions 




HUMBOLDT, 
SCIENTIST 



Sntjentors! anb Sntientionsi 



55 




CHAS. DARWIN, 
DISCOVERER OP EVOLUTION. 



56 



Snbentorsi anb Snbentions! 




SEYMOUR M. BONSALL, 
INVENTOR OP THE "INNOVATION INGENUITIES.' 



inbentors! anb Snbentions! ^"^ 

discovering: and oivino- to the world new scientific 
truths, and means of harnessing them to various human 
usefuhiess, coming within range of different dynamic 
forces, such as: steam, gas, electricity, hydraulics, etc. 
The gates of the treasuries of rapturous joy are ajar 
to him, all his life, and an honored memory afterwards, 
as enduring as the civilization that made his triumphs 
possible. The products of his genius are his monu- 
ments, and are of greater beauty than any sculptor 
could produce. More enduring than the Pyramids, 
always noted by admiring and grateful humanity, to 
whom it gives comfort and inspiration. 

One cannot possibly fail to get enthusiastic over 
the achievements of the long- line of great scientific 
mmds, who have made our civilization possible. "When 
will their glory fade.^" 

More humble, yet as useful, are the numerous 
inventors whose achievements necessarily come under 
the Third, Fourth and Fifth classification. The in- 
venting and designing of a machine to do work more 
quickly and better than has been always done by hand 
increases and cheapens a useful production, placing 
it within reach of those who would otherwise be de- 
prived of it, and always eliminates drudgery. 

CHAPTER 13 
How TO Invent 

How to invent ? Invention is a problem and a 
solution. It necessarily follows that the first thing to 
do is to thoroughly comprehend the problem and then 
contrive mechanical means to solve it. Work from 
the centre outwardly; that is, build up your machine 
around your object of accomplishment. Do not try 
to design a machine and insert it afterwards. 

There are many men so extraordinarily gifted that 
it is possible for them to succeed in diverse directions, 
even in those for which they have not been especially 
equipped by training. That is conspicuously true in 
invention. 

Useful inventions have been invented, and fortunes 
made by the inventors who were not engineers so far 



•^8 Inbentors! anb Snbentiong 

as training was concerned, nor were they even ma- 
chinists, yet their extraordinary gifts have out-balanced 
the disadvantage of the lack of training for mechanical 
creation; but they all had to enlist, more or less, the 
services of others to make up for their own deficiencies. 
No doubt there will be many more inventors from 
outside the ranks of mechanical engineers, and they 
will find the following suggestions useful. 

Understand thoroughly what you have to accom- 
plish, first of all. i^fter conceiving your ideas of a 
mechanical contrivance to do it with, try and make 
some kind of a sketch of the whole and the part 
respectively. 

CHAPTER 14 

How TO Make Sketches and Specifications 

The fact that you are not a draftsman or have 
even no idea of how drawings are made, need not 
deter you from making sketches that will be understood. 
A sketch or drawing is a representation more or less 
correct of the imaginary object in your brain. Draw- 
ings or sketches are the easiest kind of writing. They 
are picture writing, usually the first mode of writing- 
employed by primitive people, and any man who has 
the intelligence to invent* no doubt has sufficient 
ability to make some kind of sketches with pencil on 
paper of the pictures he conceives in his brain. 

In making your sketch, remember that nearly 
every object has many sides to it, and your sketch is to 
impart a conception of the shape and form of that 
object to somebody else who has no knowledge of it, 
and must necessarily get his ideas from your sketches 
as he cannot look inside of your brain; therefore make 
as many sketches of your object as there are sides to 
it, and mark them, front, side, back, top and bottom, 
and every separate piece, 1, 2, 3, etc. 

Write up explanations or specifications of the same. 
You can learn how to do that by reading standard 
works on applied mechanics. 



Snbentors anti Sntjentionsi ^9 



CHAPTER 15 

The Necessity of Competent Engineering for 
Successful Invention 

Having done that much, now do not make a "bee 
line" for the Patent Office. Do not imagine that the 
goal of your ambition, or the end of your tribulations 
lies in the Patent Office, that the obtaining of some 
kind of a patent places an "Aladdin's Lamp" at your 
disposal. You have not got anything positive as yet to 
get a patent on — the fact is you only think you have 
something — but your judgment may not be the very 
best on the subject for your own good. Take your 
sketches and your specifications and consult a com- 
petent, reputable engineer, and he will tell you what 
are the prospects and probabilities of your invention. 
If your invention is a valuable one, engage his services 
to re-design it for you, and to make it practical. Don't 
think that because you are an inventor you are nec- 
essarily a "natural born engineer." They don't grow 
that way. But be wise enough "to laiow what you 
don't know," and to get the right services from the 
right man. After your engineer has incorporated your 
invented idea in a suitable body, try to get your 
protection in the Patent Office on the form in which 
you intend utilizing your idea. No patents are granted 
on ideas. 

You will find the money spent on engineering your 
invention well spent, as very often large sums of money 
would be saved in making models and experimenting, 
and litigation would often be avoided if the inventor 
would have the practical "horse sense" to go to a com- 
petent engineer when in need of engineering skill. 

In designing and inventing a machine for doing- 
certain work on a certain article which is otherwise 
done by hand, it does not necessarily follow that the 
machine must imitate in its actions the method em- 
ployed by hand in accomplishing the same ends. That 
is very often not the only or the best method of doing 
it. While it is desirable for the machine to accomplish 
as good, or better, results than is accomplished by hand 
process, it may be far from desirable for the machine to 



60 



Sntjentorss anb Snbentionsi 




AN INTELLIGENT AND PRUDENT INVENTOR WILL CAREFULLY NOTE HIS OWN CAPACITY. 



3nbentor£S anb Snbentionss ^i 

imitate in its action the HAND PROCESS in doing it. 
That may be a very roundabout way of doing it, and 
may not lend itself to simple and desirable mechanical 
mani])ulation. For that reason the inventor of a labor- 
saving machine may often have to first invent a new 
process for bringing about certain results on the sub- 
stances on which his machine is to operate, that may 
be radically different from the method employed by 
hand. 

It is therefore obvious that, to invent a labor-saving 
machine successfully, it is first necessary to determine 
the executive method of operation, and often to invent 
a more suitable and adaptable one before inventing 
the means for accomplishing the same, as the executive 
part of his contemplated machine is his problem, and 
the ease or difficulty of its solution depends upon its 
simplicity. The intelligent and prudent inventor will 
carefully note his own special capacity, aptitude, taste, 
education, training, experience, and opportunity in 
certain directions. He will carefully weigh and meas- 
ure so far as possible in advance his proposed under- 
taking, and when finally decided upon, he will set 
himself to work enthusiastically on the lines laid down 
in this article, and with all the devotion and tenacity 
that is in him, knowing no defeat, learning and finding- 
new means to solve the problem from every set-back 
and apparent failure, until he will bring it to a success- 
ful accomplishment, and actually tear Victory from 
the Jaws of Defeat. 

CHAPTER 16 

Pert Pointers for PrOvSpective Inventors That 
Will Be Found Helpful 

While it is impossible to lay down fixed rules for 
the would-be successful inventor to follow, the follow- 
ing will be found useful: 

Observe everything carefully. Try to remember 
everything you see. Acquire the habit of concentration. 
Reason logically. Do not overlook details. Be a hard 
worker. Keep your mouth shut. Don't count your 
chickens before they are hatched. Don't get inflated 



62 



Snbentors! anb inbentionfi 




OBSERVE EVERYTHING CAREFULLY. TRY TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING YOU SEE. REASON 
LOGICALLY, DO NOT OVERLOOK DETAILS. 



inbentors! anb inbentionsi ^-^ 

with your superiority, neglecting to avail yourself of 
the accumulated knowledge and experience of others. 
Don't imagine yourself a Solomon. Don't bite oflF 
more than you can swallow. (Read Jj^sop's fable 
about the "Eagle and the Jackdaw.") Don't set 
yourself a Quixotic task, and, on the other hand, don't 
think it is impossible for you to succeed where others 
have failed. 

Do not start an advance account in greatness by 
telling everybody you come in contact with what a 
wonderful invention you are working on, thereby try- 
ing to enhance your importance with them. Remem- 
ber you are not "It" imtil you have succeeded, and 
when you do, the world will know it soon enough, and 
you will not suflfer by reason of its having found it out 
for itself. Remember an inventor is only judged by 
what he has made good, not by what he has attempted. 

Don't, oh! please don't go about with a face as 
solemn and anxious as if you were an Atlas. Using 
the inside of your head, should not be sufficient reason 
for neglecting the outside of it by "boycotting" the 
barber. Hair is not "Wisdom teeth." 

Do not waste your time complaining for the want 
of appreciation in your wife, for the "great ideas" you 
have in your head. She may have a strain of Mis- 
sourian iDlood in her veins, and "She wants to be 
shown." AYlien you "do," you can be siu-e she will 
not be slow in handing you up the "sugar lumps." 

Because Shakespeare, Napoleon, Ruskin, etc., 
have parted from the partners of their youth, should not 
lead you to the deduction that it necessarily is the ear- 
marks of greatness to cast aside, when you have become 
successful, the sharer of your early poverty and struggles. 
You will be greater by not following anybody's ex- 
ample, in that respect. 

Remember that only a temperate abstemious re- 
gime of life can give you the healthy brain required 
for the successful accomplishment of anything worth 
doing. Don't fail to give credit to others when it is 
due. Don't forget to repay those who have helped 
to make your success possible, and, lastly, gain your 
success in such a manner that your enjoyment of its 



64 



Snbentorsi anb Snbentiong 




don't imagine yourself a SOLOMON. 



inbentors; anb SnbentioniS 05 




THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW." DOX't BIT 



E OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN" SU'ALLOV 



66 



inbentorsi anb Snbentionjs 







DON T SliT YIJURSELF A (JUIXOTIC TASK. 



Snbentors! anb Snbentionsi 



67 



TELLING 
EVERY ONE 
YOU COME 
IN" CONTACT 
WITH WHAT 
A WONDER- 
FUL INVEN- 
TION YOU 
ARE WORK- 
ING ON. 




HAIR IS 
NOT WIS- 
DOM TEETH. 



DON T GO ABOUT WITH A FACE AS SOLEMN AND ANXIOUS AS THOUGH YOU WERE ATLAS. 



68 



Snbentorsi anb inbentionj; 




SHE WANTS TO BE SHOWN. 




c^.-^ 






Intientors! anb intientions! 



69 




SlIi; WILL NOT BE SLOW IN HANDING VOU UP THE SUGAR LUMPS. 



70 



Snbentors! ant inbenttons! 




Tf-K-FluSMiEaiS} 



TO CAST ASIDE WHEN YOU BECOME SUCCESSFUL THE SHARER OF YOUR EARLY POVERTY AND 

STRUGGLES. 



Snbentors! anb inbentions 



71 



i 

fill? 

m 



mm 







YOU WILL BE GREATER BY NOT FOLLOWING ANYBODY S EXAMPLE IN THAT RESPECT 



72 



Snbentorsi anb Snbentionsi 




ONLY A TEMPERATE ABSTEMIOUS REGIME OF LIFE CAN GIVE THE HEALTHY BRAIN. 



Snbentors! anb Snbentionsi 



73 




74 Snbentors! anb Snbentionsi 

reward will not be marred by the remorse of your 
conscience. 

CHAPTER 17 

Protection of an Invention 

The protection of an invention implies the dual 
problem of how to prevent others from stealing the 
product of one's mental labor, and of how to insure a 
fair share of its value to the inventor. 

To solve that problem absolutely is of course no 
more possible than the absolute prevention of the pil- 
fering of anything else of value in the world, but it may 
be made as secure as the present circumstances in the 
case will permit if the inventor, to use a slang expression, 
will be "on to the game." To be that, he first has to 
know with whom he has to reckon, and how the steal- 
ing is done, and the best way to checkmate it. 



CHAPTER 18 

Various Ways Employed to Cheat and Rob 

Inventors 

While it is impossible to enumerate all of the dif- 
ferent methods employed in bringing about the pro- 
verbial slip between the cup and the inventor's lip, a 
few of the usual means, and those generally adopted, 
in fact so general, that they have come to be looked 
upon as almost legitimate, established precedents, are 
as follows: 

If the inventor is in the employ of a company man- 
ufacturing goods, to which his invention is a valuable 
addition, the company simply "takes it," and applies 
for a patent on the same, as being the original inventor. 
In most cases the inventor is not even informed of the 
patent application, and generally some high official in 
the company's employ claims and gets the credit and 
reward for inventing it. Should that invention be very 
valuable, or the inventor commits the indiscretion of 
making other inventions, he will be promptly dis- 
charged on one pretense or another, to be rid of his 



3(nbentorsi anb Snbentionsi ^-^ 

presence, so as to "nip any possible trouble in the 
bnd," and the poor inventor has to "drift" for a while 
until he strikes something again and probably has a 
similar experience in the course of time, if he did not 
get "wise" by his last experience. 

Another pet practice is for a concern to boldly 
take another man's invention that is valuable to it, 
and work it as if it were its own, of course making- 
money out of it, and very often doing so undisturbed. 
This may be possible for a variety of reasons, such as, 
being; at a distance from the inventor and his having; 
no means of finding it out; or, again, he may be dead, 
and his rightful heirs may have no knowledge of the 
patent, its value or its infringement. But should even 
the inventor be alive and find them out and attempt to 
call them to account, he will promptly be informed to 
"go and see their lawyers," which is only another way 
of telling him, "well, what are you going to do about 
it.^" For if he goes to see their lawyers, they will 
most condescendingly and patronizingly inform him 
that that patent is not "valid," and advise him not to 
bother his head about it, as it would do him no good. 
And unless he has the means to engage lawyers, who 
require fat "retainers," he is absolutely helpless, and 
the exploiters of his invention can enjoy their ill- 
gotten gains with impunity. 

CHAPTER 19 

Government Connivance at the Despoiling of a 

Poor Inventor 

Incredible, yet it is true, that if a patent is infringed 
upon, and for some reason the inventor, though cog- 
nizant of it, does not commence suit, it is held that he 
acquiesced in the same, and the parties who are steal- 
ing his invention, as well as others, can go on robbing 
him with impunitv. 

The "INTERFERENCE" trick is usually resorted 
to, to transfer a valuable invention from a poor but 
rightful owner to those who want it, and have the 
money to make profitable use of it and pay for the 
trick. The most sur])rising part of it is that it is done 



76 



inbentors! anb Sntientions! 







inbentors! anb inbentiong 



77 




78 



inbcntorsi antJ inbentionsi 




DEFENDED IN COURT * * * * ON TECHNICALITIES. 



Snbentorsi anb inbentionsi 



79 




THE EXPLOITERS OF HIS INVENTION CAN ENJOY THEIR ILL-GOTTEN GAINS WITH IMPUNITY. 



80 Snbentorsi anb inbentions! 

quite legally and generally successfully and with no 
"comeback." It is also very remarkable for its sim- 
plicity of procedure, which is usually as follows: 

A manufacturer of a certain line of goods makes 
it his business promptly to obtain copies of all patents 
in his own line of goods as soon as they are issued. 
When he finds something that he thinks he wants or 
can use to advantage in his business, he promptly goes 
ahead, starts to make it by copying the patent illustra- 
tion in the published records, and as promptly and 
innocently files a patent application in the patent office, 
which is an exact duplicate and copy of the other man's 
patent that has been issued and published. 

In due course he gets the return of his patent ap- 
plication from the patent office with the citation against 
it of the other man's patent that he is copying. He 
then promptly notes the date of the patent application 
of the other man's patent and files what is called in the 
patent office as "INTERFERENCE," simply claim- 
ing that he invented his invention or thought about it, 
or dreamed about it at a previous time, allowing him- 
self a sufficient margin of a year or two before tlie date 
of application of the other man's patent, and thereby 
claiming himself the rightful inventor of the same, 
boosting up his own false affidavit by one or two lying- 
witnesses, which experience has demonstrated is a com- 
mercial commodity. Having done that, it is necessary 
for the right inventor, who has received due notice from 
the Patent Office, to come and defend his title to his 
patent, in spite of the fact that the patent has been 
issued to him after the customarv and usual formalities 
in due legal form, and payment of all legal fees. In 
order to defend the same now, he is obliged to engage 
attorneys who require the usual and indispensable re- 
tainers, fees, etc., without any certainty at all of being- 
able to retain his just claim to his patent, for the very 
simple reason that the time of the filing of his patent 
was probably within a reasonable time of the making 
of his invention, and he has to combat the sworn testi- 
mony of his adversaries, who have given Tthemselves 
ample latitude in insuring their priority 'claim. kWhile 
they are swearing falsely, they reason, and rightly so, 



Snljentorsi anb Sntientions! si 



that it is no more criminal to lie by the year than by 
the month, and conseqnently they make sure of it, and 
give themselves plenty of rope, with the result that the 
rightful inventor, after paying his original fees for the 
obtaining of the patents and the second fees for de- 
fending it, usually loses the same and his invention, 
simply because circumstances and his conscience do 
not permit him to defend himself against his adver- 
saries with the same weapons he is attacked with, 
namely, perjury ; thus he remains by force of circum- 
stances an honest man considerably poorer, and a 
whole lot wiser by his experience. 



CHAPTER 20 

Old and Common Tricks Employed to "Do" an 
Inexperienced Inventor 

Another method in vogue for appropriating other 
people's inventions, is to copy it, making some slight 
minor change in it, and defend it in court, if need be, 
on technicalities. 

There are still other ways, by which inventors often 
lose their just dues, which is generally the fault of their 
own inexperience, as for instance, by giving exclusive 
manufacturing privileges to somebody without a reas- 
onal)le guarantee, for the making of a certain quantity 
])er stipulated period. The possessor of the privilege 
will then only have to make one in the whole life of the 
contract, and thereby rid himself of a competitive 
article from the market, at the inventor's expense. 

Then there are various methods of avoiding the pay- 
ment of royalties on all that's made, by getting them 
made at different places, unknown to the inventor, and 
by keeping two sets of books. If the invention forms 
the basis of a Stock Company, by allowing the inventor 
only a minority of the stock, and taking all of the earn- 
ings of the invention in large salaries by the controlling 
parties, thus leaving the inventor out in the cold. 



82 Snbentorsi anb inbentions 

CHAPTER 21 
The Root of the Evil 

The different ways of appropriating other people's 
invention without giving any equivalent for it, are made 
possible by our existing laws which are notoriously de- 
fective for insuring justice and equity to those who labor 
with their brains, who, in the opinion of most people, 
are as deserving of protection, in the enjoyment of the 
fruits of their labor, as they who work with their hands. 

If the man who cultivates the soil, raises a crop and 
when the same is ripe, some one should come and boldly 
reap and harvest the same, and carry it off to his barn 
and enjoy the proceeds thereof, the law would imme- 
diately lay its hands on that person, deprive him of his 
stolen goods, to return the same to the rightful owner. 
The community would also be wrought up in righteous 
indignation and add its ostracism of the malefactor, 
even after he has been deprived of his stealings, suffered 
the penalty, and is probably penitent. 

But it is different, oh! how different, if the stolen 
property is a mental instead of a hand product. It 
ought to be apparent that there is a defect somewhere 
in the profound reasoning of our august law-makers 
and honorable jurists in framing and interpreting oui- 
laws for protection of property that makes it possible 
for a man to arrest another man that he has found in 
possession of his plow, while allowing a man to steal 
another man's invention, for the improvement of all 
plows, and to throw the inventor out of his office for 
attempting to remonstrate with him for appropriating 
his property. 

CHAPTER 22 

Comparative Legal Protection Afforded to 
Mental and Physical Property 

The law is very partial in protecting the rightful 
owner in possession of that which to produce requires 
but manual labor and very little preparation, but it 
gives no practical protection to the rightful owner in 
securing to him even a part of the benefits of his pro- 



Snbentorsi anb Snbentionsi 83 

duction, if the same is the result of the labors of the 
brain, after spending many years in hard and careful 
study in making it possible for him to accomplish it. 

Dame Justice with unsheathed sword stands guard 
over the cellar of potatoes that took three months for 
the ox and his owner to produce, but she is entirely 
indifferent if an intellio-ent and educated engineer is 
robbed of the results of his labors of several years, after 
collecting a fee from him for doing that which it does 
not do, and which it ought to do freely. It is mani- 
festly a peculiar logic, entirely at variance with the 
rules, that govern the ideas of equity. 

The man who produces a field of corn that will feed 
a dozen cows is directly protected in the possession 
thereof by the paid officers of the law of the community, 
^^'hile the man who, by his exertions, lightens the bur- 
dens of millions of human beings has no claim upon 
the services of the community's enforcers of the law of 
property rights. 

CHAPTER 23 

The Utter Helplessness of a Poor Inventor to 

Obtain Justice 

It is confessedly an enigma to many a man, why 
if an inventor is so unlucky as not to possess the large 
sums of money required to engage the services of com- 
petent attorneys, he must be content to see the de- 
spoiler of the fruits of his labor enjoy it. And should 
he, the inventor, be so indecorous as to accuse him of it, 
the law will immediately fly to the assistance of his 
despoiler, and clap the unlucky inventor in jail for libel. 

Again, if a man, as member of a corporation, appro- 
l^riates another man's property the law does not per- 
mit him to retain it, or exempt him from the conse- 
quences of this unlawful action by reason of any limi- 
tation of responsiljility as a member of a corporation. 
But, should the corporation appropriate another man's 
invention, and after expensive and long drawn-out 
litigations, the inventor should be awarded damages 
from the company for exploiting his invention, all the 
company has to do to avoid paying the award is to fail. 



8^ inbentors! anb Knbentionsi 




THE LAW 
IS VERY 
POWERFUL 
IN PRO- 
TECTING 
THE 

RIGHTFUL 
OWNER. 



DAME 
JUSTICE 
WITH UN- 
SHEATHED 
SWORD 
STANDS 
GUARD 
OVER THE 
CELLAR OF 
POTATOES. 



NO CLAIM 

UPON THE 
SERVICES 
OF THE 

commu- 
nity's 
officers 

OF THE 
LAW. 



WHY, OH WHY, IS THE STEALING OF ONE KIND OF PROPERTY A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, ANTOHER 

ONLY .A. CIVIL TORT.' 



3fnbentors! anb Snbentionsi 85 

and the same individuals can re-organize to do the same 
business under a new charter and name, and may steal 
the same inventor's patent again, providing it pays 
it to do so, and the inventor would have to commence 
to fioht aoain in court. 

Why, oh why, is the stealing of one kind of property 
a criminal offense, and another onlv a civil tort ? 



CHAPTER 24 

Public Attitude Towards Him Who Steals Phys- 
ical AND TO THE OnE WhO StEALS 

Mental Property 

Good people will justly gather up their coat-tails 
in holy horror, when perchance they come in contact 
with a man convicted of highway robbery, but when 
has a man been expelled from Church membership, 
or from fashionable clubs, who has lost a patent suit 
by a clear case of intentional infringement being proven 
against him ? 

At present it would seem that many inventors have 
a special reason for deploring the decadence of the 
Eternal Brimstone-Doctrine, as punishment for wrong- 
doing, especially for the breaking of the Eighth and 
Tenth Commandments, as its modern substitute of 
"Thou shalt not steal, less-than-necessary-for-lawyers'- 
fees-to-absolve-you-and-a-reasonable-margin-of-profit," 
manifestlv is broad enouo-h to include the stealino- of 
mventive production. 

CHAPTER 25 

Present Available Means of Protecting an 

Invention 

To protect an invention is indeed a very serious 
problem, under any and all circumstances, yet there 
are certain conditions that will protect it in a measure. 

The first and most potent is to have a good deal of 
money to fight infringements with, for money not only 
has the famed virtue of "covering a multitude of sins," 
but of keeping others from sinning against you. 



86 



inbentorsi anb Snbentionss 




THE 

COMMUNITY 

WOULD BE 

WROUGHT 

UP IN 

RIGHTEOUS 

INDIGNA- 

Tinv. 



BUT IS IT DIFFERENT Oh! NOW ! IF THE STOLEN PROPERTY IS A MENTAL INSTEAD OF A HAND 

PRODUCT? 



SntJentorsi anb Snbentionsi ^'^ 

Second: Good and careful invention and designing 
by making the mechanical contrivance as nearly liasic 
as the circumstances will permit, and to design and 
invent contrivances for the same purpose in as many 
other ways from the one to be used as possible, and 
by patenting the same, making it harder for anybody 
else to get around it. 

Third: To so develop your means of producing 
your invention, that they will enable you to hold your 
own in competition in the market should it come. 

Fourth: To have a good patent lawyer draw your 
patent claims. 

Fifth: If possible have that lawyer interested in 
your invention. 

Sixth : Never give it out to be worked on a royalty, 
unless it is to some party with whose ability and 
mtegrity you are satisfied, and even then have a clearly 
defined contract in writing as to quantities and con- 
ditions. 

Seventh: If the invention is assigned to a corporation, 
do not leave yourself with a minority of stock if you can 
at all help it, but if you cannot possibly avoid parting 
w'ith a majority of the stock, identify and amalgamate 
your interests with some other stockholder in your 
company, that in combination with him will give you 
a majority and control; and arrange if possible for 
your services to be indispensable and profitable to the 
company. 

Last, never sign an agreement with anybody assign- 
ing to them all of your future improvements and in- 
ventions you may make for the same purpose. You 
will be reasonably protected if you can keep that "up 
your sleeve." For the world is usually more mindful 
of the man with the "Bio- Stick" than with the "Bio- 
Grievance." 



88 



Snbentors! anb f nbentiong 




THE WORLD IS USUALLY MORE MINDFUL OP THE MAN WITH THE "BIG STICK 
THAN WITH THE "BIG GRIEVANCE" 



Snbentors! anb Snbentions! 89 



CHAPTER 26 

Comparative Government Treatment — A Bounty 

FOR Raising "Sugar Beets," but a 

Tax on Inventions 

Laws are framed and a great deal of money spent 
by our Government for the encouragement of useful 
production by its people. For illustration, it is con- 
sidered that the best way to produce sugar, is the raising 
of the sugar cane which is raised in the world in suf- 
ficient quantities to meet all possible demands, and 
naturally enough in places where it can be raised to the 
best advantage. Many of those places are under the 
Stars and Stripes, nanrely, Louisiana, Hawaii, Porto 
Rico, and the Philippine Islands. Yet if a citizen who, 
on his farm, could produce many diverse articles and 
sell the same to advantage, chooses instead to raise 
a vegetable (beets), from which sugar can be manu- 
factured at a disadvantage, expects and receives from 
the Government not only absolute protection of his 
production, and also the securing of an enhanced price 
for the same, through a high tariff, but an actual bonus 
of money known as a "bounty." But the inventor 
who bestows great benefits on his fellow citizens and 
the world at large, and gives it that which can not be 
had at all elsewhere at the time, is evidently not deemed 
by our law-makers of sufficient importance to receive 
any encouragement or justice. 

From what has been said here, it ought to be very 
evident that there is a wide difference in the treatment 
meted out by our Government to him who renders 
services to society by digging in the dirt, and to him 
who diii's in the l:)i'ain. 



90 



Untientors! ant Snbentions! 




°"'^!2»!"^i' "^ ™^ TREATMENT METED OUT BY OUR GOVERNMENT TO HIM WHO'rfNDFRS 
SERVICES TO SOCIETY. BY DIGGING IN THE DIRT, AND TO HIM WHO USES THE BRAm 



^nbentorsi anb 3fnbentions! ^i 

CHAPTER 27 
Society's Debt to the Inventor 

It is certainly good and just public policy that the 
Government should spend a good deal of money for 
the benefit of the farmers, but where is the justice and 
the good public policy in making money out of the 
inventors ? (See statistics of the fiscal returns from 
the Patent Office.) Is the former more indispensable 
to society than the latter ? Has not the ingenuity of 
the inventor enabled even the farmer, the special pro- 
tege of the Government, to get greater returns from 
his labor than ever in the history of the world ? Has 
he not made his task lighter, and has he not enabled 
him to o-et more of the good thino-s of the world for the 
earninos of his labor ? And is it not in a o-reat measure 
through the inventor's ingenuity and industry that this 
country has attained its unprecedented prosperity in 
Peace and mighty potency in War ? 

CHAPTER 28 
Comparative Protection Given by the 

GoVERNxAIENT 

Our formidable warships are always ready to race 
to the furthest end of the world to j^i'otect our mer- 
chants and their wares. Even our missionaries have 
the "moral" support of our "strong arm," in forcing 
on the so-called heathens the barter of "cozy corners 
in Heaven" for "cash down," but it is a notorious fact 
that certain so-called civilized countries are making it 
their habit and custom quite openly to appropriate 
every invention that is worth appropriating, providing 
the inventor is a foreigner, and the unfortunate in- 
ventor has not even got a cause of action at law, nor 
would the inventor's complaint at the State Department 
be productive of anything more substantial than polite 
regrets. These modern Barbary Pirates need not 
fear another Commodore Perry, so long as they devote 
their depredations solely to the comparatively more 
valuable production of the brains instead of the hands. 



92 



inbentors! anti inbentionsi 




HAS NOT THE INGENUITY OF THE INVENTOR ENABLED EVEN 

THE FARMER * * * TO GET GREATER RETURNS FOR HIS LABOR? * * * 

HAS HE NOT MADE HIS WORK LIGHTER AND HAS HE NOT ENABLED HIM TO 

GET MORE OP THE GOOD THINGS OF THIS WORLD? 



Sntientors^ anb Snbentionsi 



93 




THROUGH THE INVENTOR S INGENUITY AND INDUSTRY THIS COUNTRY HAS ATTAINED ITS- 
MIGHTY POTENCY IN WAR. 



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94 inbentorg anb inbentionsi 



CHAPTER 29 

The Law's Definition of Property — and Public 

Policy 

Evidently the law's definitions of "Industry and 
Property " are only that which were known and accepted 
as such before the Era of Mechanical Inventions. And 
while the law is sufficiently modern in exacting a fee 
from this modern class of toilers, yet it has not mod- 
ernized sufficiently to extend to them the encourage- 
ment and protection that in all reason and justice they 
are entitled to, even without additional exaction from 
them, and it is also against public policy. 

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene the dark 
unfathomed caves of ocean bear." 

"Full many a flower is born to blush unseen and 
waste its sweetness on the desert air." 

Many a great invention to increase human comfort 
and happiness would be given to the world, if inventors 
wei-e given that encouragement and protection which 
their genius, industry and usefulness deserve. 

CHAPTER 30 

The Successful Inventor 

One has indeed to be more than ordinarily gifted, 
and most carefully trained in many directions, spiritual, 
mental and physical, to be a successful inventor. To 
improve by one's own ability and efforts the results of 
any phase of human activities; to conceive, execute and 
adopt and introduce a new and improved method for 
the carrying out of certain human exertions without 
infringing upon, or appropriating the efforts of others; 
to secure a fair and just share of its benefits, to be 
translated to higher planes of life, without becoming 
over-conscious of it; to be called to the management 
of affairs involving the interests, and welfare of others; 
to be able to do so, not only profitably, but in a manner 
to gain, hold and preserve the esteem of our fellow- 
beings, is indeed a creditable achievement. Well 



/ 

/ 

/ 



inbentorsi anb Snbentionsi ^5 

worth the amljition of every high-minded person ex- 
traordinarily gifted. It requires the proverbial wis- 
dom of an owl, the cunning of a fox, and the courage 
and strength of a lion. 

If the true history of all the pre-eminent inventors 
should be written, it would be a record of "Making" 
the most of oneself, painstaking labor, and of constant 
devotion to duty, of as brave and as true men as ever 
wore brass buttons and gold lace; who, without martial 
glamour and loud acclaim, quietly solve and overcome 
great difficulties, against discouraging odds, and attain 
good results. 



CHAPTER 31 

Comparative Treatment the World Accords to 
Them, and Summary 

The world pays no heed to the efforts and struggles 
of such men, often neglects to reward their good achieve- 
ments, yet it never fails to avail itself of their benefits. 

The Monetary reward meted out by the world to 
even the most successful inventors is insignificant, com- 
])ared to the benefits bestowed upon it by the beneficiary 
of its gratitude. 

The world is full of monuments and statues to them 
who have or have tried to benefit it by destruction 
and slaughter, and by the making of widows and 
orphans, but one would have to use "Diogenes' Candle," 
to find the monuments to them who have benefited 
the world, by giving it untold wealth and happiness, 
without sorrow or suffering, except to themselves, 
throuo'h scientific and mechanical research and inven- 
tion. 

The feelino- of having; benefited our fellows, of hav- 
ing helped to improve the world for others, as others 
have done for us, the sweet consciousness of having 
given the world "What was best in us," is the true and 
only adequate reward to him Avho has given his best 
efforts to lighten human burdens and increase their 
happiness, 



ma 24 idii 



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